Abstract ID: 3.12618 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

Land-use changes over the past few decades have significantly influenced global warming through increased CO₂ emissions. However, terrestrial carbon (C) sequestration presents a viable strategy for mitigating atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. Despite being a major carbon reservoir, the Arunachal Himalaya lacks comprehensive data on soil carbon sequestration potential due to its complex topography and rugged terrain. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by modeling soil carbon sequestration potential across diverse land-use ecosystems, including pine and bamboo plantations, kiwi orchards, and agricultural lands in the Ziro Valley, Lower Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Soil samples were collected using a stratified random sampling approach and analyzed following standard methodologies. Land-use and land-cover (LULC) classification was conducted using Sentinel-2 satellite data, integrated with soil-type assessments to estimate soil organic carbon. The InVEST model was employed to quantify carbon sequestration potential for each LULC category. Results indicate that bamboo plantations exhibit the highest carbon sequestration potential among the studied land-use types. These findings provide a critical foundation for designing effective management strategies aimed at stabilizing rising carbon levels through carbon stock preservation and enhanced sequestration. Moreover, the study offers valuable insights for policymakers in REDD+ reporting, climate mitigation policies, and sustainable land-use planning. By leveraging this data-driven approach, decision-makers can implement targeted interventions to maximize carbon sequestration and promote ecological sustainability in the Eastern Himalayan region.